What I'm Playing Thursday

I've been away too long, so here goes nothing!

In honor Jimmy Buffett's show here in Raleigh this coming Tuesday night 4/19, I'll leave some of my favorite Buffett songs (maybe ones that you're not familiar with). This year will mark my 9th Buffett show. Fins Up Parrotheads!!

 

"Jamaica Mistaica"

"Only Time Will Tell"

"Great Heart"

"School Boy Heart" 

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The Late General Norman Johnson

To some people, when they hear the phrase "Beach Music," their immediate thoughts are The Beach Boys and some may think Jimmy Buffett. Here in the Carolinas its a little different. Our Beach Music comes from bands like The Embers, The Chairmen of The Board, Band of Oz, Catalinas, Craig Woolard, and so many more to list it could go on for a while.

For some, they learn of this music when they get to college. For me, I grew up with it just as my parents did. This kind of music was simply just a staple of my life. Not that I want to sound snobby in that "I listened to it before you did," but its more of a fixture to me personally than drinking some beers and shagging to beach music band at a fraternity party. 

Growing up my favorite day of the week was Sunday. Turning the radio on Sunday afternoons and hearing "Sunday on the Beach" with Luke Vail and Jerry Wayne followed by "Steve Hardy's Original Beach Party" and Raleigh's "Big John on the Beach." These days were typically associated with PGA tournaments on mute and steaks on the grill or maybe some boiled shrimp and crab cakes. 

In October, Carolina Beach Music lost arguably its most famous singer, General Norman Johnson of General Johnson and The Chairmen of the Board. I went to work one rainy morning and I needed some to cheer me up, so I logged onto 94.9 The Surf's website (a beach music radio station from Myrtle Beach, SC) only to quickly learn the news of General Johnson's passing the morning the news was announced. I felt like a piece of my soul had been ripped out of me. Maybe it was because of the many times I saw him perform. The many times I shook his hand. The memories of all the Sunday afternoons. To me, it wasn't just a musician, it was a piece of my life. 

Last night watching the Grammy Awards with Belle, during their feature of musicians who passed away in the last year, I could not believe my eyes, General Norman Johnson made the list. Nearly brought tears to my eyes the way that "Patches" does. In an awards show that I felt was terrible, that one moment was worth all the other minutes of boredom. 

Through music, General Johnson will live forever and so will our Carolina Beach Music. 

via The News and Observer

More Snow?

So here's the deal...I'm tired of winter. I'm not a fan of cold weather to begin with. I like snow, I really do...but only if its on a weekend and its gone by Monday. Snow a kid was fun because you knew you were going to get a day off from school or at minimum a delay. As an adult in the work week, its nothing more than a nuisance. Its always nice to watch it fall, its just the aftermath that becomes the issue. 

Basically, at this point I think I'd much rather see a dusting of yellow pollen than a dusting of white snow. I can't be the only one who feels this way. Bring on spring and some warm weather!!

Superbowl Sunday

Welcome to Superbowl Sunday...The one day closet fans appear out of the woodwork and a pizza delivered to your house is definitely not coming within 30 minutes or less. This year, we match up the team from "Titletown" and the Land of Steel.Wiz Khalifa vs. Lil' Wayne. Black and Yellow vs. Green and Yellow. Don't really follow a whole lot about either team, but I think I'll pull for the Packers tonight. After all, it means I can say "Go Pack," something I'm quite familiar with.

Maybe this year I'll actually see some of the game. Unfortunately last years, was the day I have traveled to Orlando, and by the time I got settled in from my flight, a cab ride or two, a rental car, and everything else, it was the 4th Quarter and the bar of the Marriott Downtown Orlando (now a Sheraton) was my only option. It was the place to be on the night of a home game for the Orlando Magic while they still played at Amway Arena, but hardly the case of Superbowl Sunday.

This year will probably be far more subdued and relaxing. Maybe some afternoon beach music with Steve Hardy and picking up some Barbecue and settling in for some football and commercials. Strange how we hate commercials normally but will make sure we're seated on the couch with full attention to them on Superbowl Sunday isn't it?


Whatever the case...Eat some food and watch some football...Its the American Dream.

What I'm Playing Thursday

Sitting behind a desk all day, I listen to A LOT of music. Currently I'm listening to Power 96, a radio station out of Miami, Florida...and right now its "Aston Martin Music" by Rick Ross.

Raleigh's All-Star Weekend

All eyes (at least in the hockey world) were set on my beloved hometown this past weekend as the NHL All-Star Game came to town. I've lived here for my entire life and I have never once been more proud to say that I'm a born and raised Raleigh citizen. Growing up southern, particularly here in Tobacco Road, you don't grow up playing hockey paying a whole lot of attention to it. That quickly changed in the late '90s when the Carolina Hurricanes arrived in Raleigh.

What was once thought of as a joke that would never work has proved many wrong. The 'Canes have hosted the NHL Draft, won the Stanley Cup, and now hosted the NHL All-Star game...and with such success the sports media cannot stop talking about it. Sure All-Star games no matter what sport they are don't really have the importance as championships, but none the less they're extremely high profile events...and it was quite the party.

Belle and I kicked off the festivities off Friday night, heading downtown to the Raleigh Amphitheater for a free concert with 3 Doors Down. Place was rocking and packed full of folks from every walk of life. It was such a popular event, they had to start turning people away because the venue was over capacity. Great show and a great kick off to the weekend.

Saturday we headed back Downtown and took in the sights of All-Star Wide Open, a street fair on Fayetteville Street in Downtown Raleigh. Afterwards, we headed over to the convention center for the NHL All-Star Fan Fair. This event was chock full of anything and everything hockey. A lot seemed to geared towards kids, but was still quite awesome. To me it seemed a lot like those conventions in Las Vegas, you hear about and see on TV from time to time. Afterwards, we went back to the Raleigh Amphitheater so Belle could see Chuck Wicks perform and she was actually lucky enough to meet him and get her picture taken with him.

via The News and Observer

via Yahoo Sports

Because the company I work for is the ticketing source for the event, I was able to score a few free tickets to the All-Star Pre-Game BBQ outside the RBC Center on Sunday. Let me begin by saying, I have never seen such an event. This was the hospitality event of all hospitality events. Free food, open bar, even a performance by the '90s rock band Eve 6. This was an invite only event and was the kind of event where its the who's who of anybody...example, NHL League Commissioner Gary Bettman was there. Unfortunately, I did not have tickets for the game, but the experience of everything else was fulfilling enough.

Following the game and the weekend of parties, fairs, and everything else, Raleigh has become the real winner of the All-Star Game. This put us on a national sports map and there have been nothing but gracious praises by the media for such great hospitality, amenities, fans, and support. Even a sportscaster TSN, Canada's version of ESPN made mention that this was overall the best All-Star Game experience he's ever witnessed. That says a lot from someone who is #1 from Canada and has probably been to more All-Star Games than years I've been alive. Take a look here.

As a sports fan, a 'Canes fan, and a Raleigh citizen, this was quite possibly one of the most exciting weekends ever. I definitely look forward to having this event return back to Raleighwood!

Only months with "R"

If you're from the south, then you know exactly what I'm talking about without going any further. If not, simply put, its Oyster season. This weekend was my father's birthday and this year he chose to for us to head out to dinner to none other than Raleigh's 42nd Street Oyster Bar, or "42nd St." as us locals tend to call it.

42nd Street is one of a few institution restaurants in Raleigh that has been around for ages and is owned by the Eure family. Thad Eure Jr. started this restaurant as well as the world renowned Angus Barn and a great local burger spot, Fat Daddy's. 42nd Street is probably one of the most unique restaurants in Raleigh. The outside has an art deco look, complete with blue and pink neon lighting, very South Beach-esque. The interior is like stepping back in time with dark hardwoods, a few neon lights, mounted fish, including a full size Hammerhead, Thrasher, Giant Yellowfin Tuna, and of course a few Blue Marlins and Sailfish.

Anyways, back to the point. Oysters are something that some people take one look at and would never think about eating. I personally believe as southerners, its our duty to eat them. Whether they're steamed or roasted, they're still great. Our Oysters last night were from Galveston Bay in Texas, and were rather large, actually some of the largest oysters I've ever seen. Maybe it was the left over oil that BP left behind, maybe they were on some HGH, whatever the case they were excellent. Give me a bucket of oysters and some cocktail sauce and I'm a happy boy.

If you're visiting the area, its a not to miss restaurant. Just remember, if you want Oysters, get a seat the bar or an island because they will not shuck them and bring them to a standard table. As well, if you're flying through RDU International Airport, in our newly reconstructed Terminal 2, there is a 42nd Street Oyster Bar in the airport just down the stairs and escalators from the TSA Security Check. 

And remember y'all, its almost February so there are only 3 more months to get your fresh seasonal oysters until September!